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All Blacks need to 'get it right'

Sportal.co.nz 30 May 2007

Getting the foundations right is All Blacks coach Graham Henry's call for his side in its opening Test against France at Auckland on Saturday.

Henry said working on getting set pieces sorted, through the lineout, the scrum and restarts, and the backline's attacking patterns and the team defensive pattern, would be crucial to the All Blacks season.

"If we start up the ladder I have found you have to come back and reinforce things," he said.

Complacency, over the reduced quality of the French team, would not be an issue for the selection panel and it shouldn't be for the team, he said.

"Complacency is one of the biggest things in international sport that can trip teams up," he said.

"The French boys will be up there, they have an opportunity to play in the World Cup," he said.

Individuals had plenty of motivation in the All Blacks too.

Blues lock Ali Williams whose Super 14 season ended in controversy when returning early from the semi-final in Durban had an attitude that was 'spot on' at the All Blacks preparation, forwards coach Steve Hansen said.

"He's got a few things to prove and just wants to play well. He has been very solid all week in his preparation," he said.

Henry said that centre Isaia Toeava had been driven by his experiences to where he is now and he was a better player for it. He also felt Toeava felt as if he belonged in the side which was not the case when first selected two years ago.